The Detrimental Effects of Antibiotics on Children's Digestive Systems

A new study shows that exposure to antibiotics, along with the type of delivery (cesarean or natural) and diet (breast milk or formula), can disrupt the growth and development of beneficial microorganisms in the digestive system during the first three years of children's lives. According to Nature World News, the results of this study published in the journal Science Translational Medicine indicate that frequent use of antibiotics in children during their early years affects the diversity of gut microorganisms, which can lead to the production of antibiotic-resistant genes over time. Dr. Ramnik Xavier, director of the Massachusetts General Hospital in the U.S., states that the biodiversity of microorganisms in the early years of children's lives is crucial as it directly impacts sensitivities and diseases related to the immune system. It has previously been established that disruption in the diversity of microorganisms in the gut can influence obesity, asthma, and various allergies, as these microorganisms play a significant role in the digestive and immune systems. In this study involving 39 children, scientists found that among those who regularly received small amounts of antibiotics for treating infections, there was less diversity in the gut microorganism population. Additionally, the number of bacteria was lower, and their connections were weaker. Researchers also noted that children exposed to antibiotics had a lower amount of the microbiome (or symbiotic microorganisms) that coexist with body cells and are essential for survival. Another finding was the presence of antibiotic-resistant genes in these children, which increased rapidly during antibiotic use, although they decreased after the course of illness and medication ended.